Gabriels fell over the line to win the Harneys Gaelic Football League on Sunday, but were thankful to other teams for the victory. Needing just one win entering the final two games of the season, they proceeded to lose both games, the second of which against Shamrocks on Sunday.
Shamrocks were the better team throughout, winning more comfortably than the 1-7 to 1-4 final score suggested.
The Shamrocks enter the forthcoming championship with real momentum, winning their last three league games to finish just a point behind Gabriels, who themselves have lost three of their last four.
Gabriels’ defeat opened the door for Cavan Gaels to potentially take the league, as a win for them in their match against Wolfe Tones would move them top on points difference. Cavan Gaels started positively, despite having an injury-depleted team, and led 0-3 to 0-2 at the break.
However, further injuries left them powerless to defend against a fresher Wolfe Tones, as they won out 1-6 to 0-3, leaving Cavan Gaels ruing a missed opportunity.
That left the league to be decided in the very last match of the season, where bottom-of-the-table Magheracloone took on Na Fianna. A win for Na Fianna would give them the league title.
The game started off in a tight fashion with the teams going point for point and the Magheracloone one ahead at the break. Magheracloone’s desire for its first win of the season ultimately proved strongest as they won by 0-10 to 0-7.
Na Fianna thus made it three out of three title contenders losing on the final day. The result was celebrated jubilantly by the Gabriels players, who thought the league had slipped through their grasp after losing their earlier game. In the end, their 15 points from 11 games was just enough.
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